Research on CBD for Sleep
Updated: Mar 9, 2022
LA Weekly | 2 days ago.
Did you know that the hemp plant has been used for thousands of years for its various benefits? Well, now you do. One of those benefits of CBD that is proven over and over again is its potential to aid in sleep. Discovered in 1965, CBD, the dominant compound of the hemp plant, has been researched for its effectiveness as a natural sleep aid,with studies showing that it offers the ability to regulate one’s sleep cycle while offering a feeling of calm that can help a person drift off to sleep more easily. Similar studies show cannabidiol’s potential positive effects on anxiety, which is one of the leading causes of poor sleep quality and difficulty falling asleep at night.
How Does CBD Help with Sleep and Insomnia?
CBD is of course, a cannabinoid, which is a unique type of chemical compound that attaches itself to cannabinoid receptors in the body that belong to the endocannabinoid system, a system crucial to the maintenance of homeostasis. When cannabinoids attach to cannabinoid receptors, they gain the ability to regulate local bodily processes that affect our functions and the way in which we feel.
CBD is known to attach itself to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system that control sleep, mood and other nervous system functions. This allows cannabidiol to regulate our ability to sleep at night, acting not as a sedative but a natural form of support for our innate sleep cycle. Many people report feeling calm after taking a dose of CBD, which comes from its influence on neurotransmitters in the brain such as melatonin, dopamine, serotonin and cortisol.
Will CBD Cause Any Bad Interactions with Other Sleep Medications?
While cannabidiol is one of the botanicals that is generally regarded as ‘safe,’ you should still talk to your doctor before taking it for sleep. This is especially true if you are on any medications for sleep. CBD may suppress CYP3A4, an enzyme responsible for breaking down many drugs. Low levels of CYP3A4 can cause drugs to accumulate in the body and put a person at a higher risk of overdose.
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